Changes

Missouri merely extended a law that already exists for outpatient (ambulatory) surgical centers to [[abortion]].  Missouri's Ambulatory Surgical Center Licensing Law ("the Act") was amended effective August 28, 2007.<ref>Codified at section 197.200 of the Revised Missouri Statutes.</ref> Prior to the amendment the Act defined an ambulatory surgical center as any "establishment operated primarily for the purpose of performing surgical procedures or primarily for the purpose of performing childbirths and which does not provide ... accommodations for patients to stay more than twenty-three hours ...." The amendment expands the definition to include any establishment that performs five or more first trimester abortions per month or any second or third trimester abortions.

Missouri merely extended a law that already exists for outpatient (ambulatory) surgical centers to [[abortion]].  Missouri's Ambulatory Surgical Center Licensing Law ("the Act") was amended effective August 28, 2007.<ref>Codified at section 197.200 of the Revised Missouri Statutes.</ref> Prior to the amendment the Act defined an ambulatory surgical center as any "establishment operated primarily for the purpose of performing surgical procedures or primarily for the purpose of performing childbirths and which does not provide ... accommodations for patients to stay more than twenty-three hours ...." The amendment expands the definition to include any establishment that performs five or more first trimester abortions per month or any second or third trimester abortions.

Though the ''L.A. Times'' article admits to overcrowding, it misleads the public in several ways.  The article conceals how the Missouri law applies to all [[abortion]]s equally, and the judge's invalidation of the law would permit second and third trimester [[abortions]] to be performed at these overcrowded clinics.  The article quotes three individuals who profit from [[abortion]] and oppose the law before quoting a defense of this law:  "We're applying the same standards of healthcare to abortion clinics as we are to other medical facilities," said Pam Fichter, development director of Missouri Right to Life.

Though the ''L.A. Times'' article admits to overcrowding, it misleads the public in several ways.  The article conceals how the Missouri law applies to all [[abortion]]s equally, and the [[federal]] judge's injunction against the law permits second and third trimester [[abortions]] to be performed at these overcrowded clinics.  The judge heard arguments Monday on making his injunction permanent.

 

The article quotes three individuals who profit from [[abortion]] and oppose the law before quoting a defense of this law:  "We're applying the same standards of healthcare to abortion clinics as we are to other medical facilities," said Pam Fichter, development director of Missouri Right to Life.

== Point-by-Point Rebuttal ==

== Point-by-Point Rebuttal ==